THIS year’s Knockengorroch World Ceilidh organisers have confirmed the acts in its 14th year will be headed by Jamaican legends The Skatalites.

Having worked with reggae greats such as Bob Marley and Lee Scratch Perry the revolutionary group are considered to be the original ska band, laying the foundations for reggae, dub, dancehall and ragga.

The band will complement a festival line-up featuring music both ancient and new, originating from around the world and reverberating in a natural amphitheatre in the Galloway hills.

The Peatbog Faeries, the Shee, Stanley Odd, the Destroyers and many further acts will join from different genres and countries, incorporating the most contemporary tunes alongside traditional melodies, resulting in a melting pot of sound and song.

Festival director Liz Holmes said; “We’re a big festival in a small pot and the diversity and range in our line-up certainly reflects that.

“Our line-up includes some of the most established roots acts in the world alongside some of the newest, creating a fresh programme with someone for everyone.”

The World Ceilidh is primarily a music festival but the programme will also include arts, crafts and dance workshops, spoken word, comedy, performance art, installations, walkabout theatre, fire shows and kids activities.

Liz added: “The festival is open to all ages and persuasions. We’ve got so much going on, including dedicated children’s workshops, early morning yoga sessions, a cinema and sauna, good food, real ales, fire sculptures and even dog awards.”

As one of the longest running music festivals on the Scottish circuit, Knockengorroch has built up a reputation as one of the friendliest and warmest events.

The event takes place in a river valley plain and has been created in appreciation with the history and landscape, with a custom timber built turf roofed main stage and an authentic Celtic Longhouse venue.

The festival kicks off the summer, taking place on the bank holiday weekend May 31 to June 3.